the eight-year-old son of Bruce. Like his dad, Baz has the power to grant any wish. And like him, he has a large larrikin streak that causes him to put a little spin on your wish. Bubbles is a filthy rich, terribly wet and rather a good egg. An honours graduate from the university of upper class twits, he wants to marry Diana. Darlene, Otto's tourist co-coordinator is caring where he is mean. Where he is grumpy, she is friendly. And she's smart – smart enough to convince Otto to give her half the business when he gets behind in the wages. Production Series 1 In 1994, the Foundation set about developing a 13 part comedy series that was going to be called The Genie from Down Under, featuring Bruce, an Australian Genie, with his dog Blue. Jeremy Swan, a producer from the BBC spent a month during 1994 with the Foundation developing the scripts for the series. In the same year, the ACTF concluded a deal with the ABC and the BBC to produce the 13-part comedy-drama series, but Bruce's dog was replaced with the concept of Baz, his 8-year-old son. The BBC and the ABC's Children's Departments pre-bought the series. BBC Children's International and the Australian Film Finance Corporation invested in the series with the BBC acting as international distributor. The 13 episodes in the first series were written by Steve J Spears, Christine Madafferi and Mandy Hampson with Esben Storm as Script Consultant. Jeremy Swan, the BBC's Script Consultant, was involved throughout the production. Jeremy is an experienced comedy writer-director of children's programs. Production of the first series commenced on 27 March 1995 and shooting was completed on 27 June 1995. Filming took place at the Melbourne Film Studios, various locations in Melbourne, Werribee Park, and the Nulla Homestead. Werribee Park is the site of Townes Hall and the Nulla Homestead, in the heart of the Australian outback, is the site of Townes Downs. Post-production of the Foundation's 13-part comedy series was completed in November, with the series premiering on the BBC in January 1996 and on the ABC in June 1996. Series 1 Launch The Foundation and the ABC hosted a press launch for The Genie from Down Under on 8 May 1996. The series premiered on BBCI in the United Kingdom on Mondays from 8 January 1996. The series began screening on the ABC every